Walden University’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling Program Receives CACREP Accreditation

Minneapolis—February 2, 2009—Walden University’s MS in Mental Health Counseling program is now accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), an independent accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation that accredits counselor preparation master’s degree programs. Walden is one of the only higher education institutions that offer a CACREP-accredited M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling online.

Walden’s MS in Mental Health Counseling program, introduced in 2005, was designed in alignment with CACREP standards. The intensive accreditation process included comprehensive self-assessment and peer assessment to validate that the program meets these standards.

“We are very proud of this achievement, which increases the value of Walden’s MS in Mental Health Counseling degree in a variety of ways. CACREP accreditation ensures that our program meets national standards of quality and relevance to the profession, giving graduates of our program more opportunities nationwide,” said Dr. Cynthia Baum, vice president of Walden’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “CACREP accreditation also streamlines the licensing application process in many states and gives our students an advantage when applying to doctoral programs.”

Walden’s MS in Mental Health Counseling program helps prepare students to address and treat clients’ mental health needs knowledgeably, ethically, and with respect for diversity. Students can gain the confidence, qualifications, and critical-thinking skills needed to seek licensure and apply best practices as change agents in the counseling profession.

For more information about Walden’s MS in Mental Health Counseling program, please visit www.WaldenU.edu/mhc. To learn more about CACREP, please visit www.cacrep.org.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and administration, and health and human services, as well as master’s programs in engineering and IT and bachelor’s programs in business administration, psychology, child development, computer information systems, interdisciplinary studies, and instructional design and technology. Walden University is a member of Laureate International Universities, a leading global network of accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org; 1-312-263-0456.

Note on Licensure
Walden University’s MS in Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.